The story is set in a working class New York neighborhood around the turn of the 20th century. Maggie Toole and Anna McCarty work together at the factory and are very good friends. Anna and her guy, Jimmy Burns, would pick up Maggie every Saturday and bring her to the dance.
The dance is at the Clover Leaf club, an Irish organization, and its dances are exclusive only to members, but they can get a guest along. These dances are held at the Give-and-Take Athletic Association. To attend, you must be a part of the club or work for Rhinegold's paper-box factory.
Maggie is a plain-looking girl who isn't sought after by any man. This is known by Anna and kind of accepted by all. Though she doesn't have a superior attitude over Maggie, she is surprised however and teeny bit shocked when Maggie announces she has a date for the Clover Club Saturday dance and will not be the single attachment to Anna and Jimmy.
The dance results in a lovely twist where it shows how the youth and their attitudes affect the relationships and friendships.
Themes
Jealousy in friendship
Anna and Maggie’s friendship isnt as deep and strong as given in the story at the beginning. Anna’s obvious jealousies and her flimsy attitude is soon proved.
Concept of feminine beauty
The notions that females are only supposed to be beautiful to be popular or to be dated is highlighted very well in the story.
Dating and its pressures
I think the pressures of being in the dating circle and not being single for long is still very apparent in our society today.
Image - Dancers at a public dance hall, New York 1940 - Photo by Alan Fisher
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